Riding Deals Gap next Sat (5/31)

As an attorney, we're required to take 15hrs of CLE seminars throughout the year. It's quite the burden, but I'm one to make the most of it. So, instead of taking the 7hr CLE that will be held in my town, I'm taking the same one in Chattanooga next Friday! Why, you ask. Duh! So I can ride Deal's Gap on my 08! Right now I've got 86 miles on her, so this week I've got to put 400 or so more miles on her, change the oil, adjust the chain, and head out next Thursday.

I'll go to Chatt Thursday evening. The CLE is at the Marriot at 2 Carter Plaza so I need to find a cheapo hotel nearby to stay at Thursday night. Then, I google-mapped a route for Friday evening's ride to Deal's Gap. I need to find a cheapo hotel nearby to stay at then too. If anyone has a good route for me to take from Chatt to the Gap, let me know. Saturday I'll ride the Dragon a few times, then head out, probably via the Skyway, and head home after lunchtime, back to Clarksville (5hrs).

Hotel suggestions?
Route suggestions?
Packing suggestions?

This is my first road trip like this so I want to do it right (and cheaply). I'm going to attempt the buell peg mod and put my risers on today. We'll see how that goes. Then this weekend put as many 'break-in' miles as possible. I refuse to be constrained to 5500 rpms on the Skyway.

Be sure to ride the Foothills Parkway, Hellbender 28, Thunder Road (Wayah Road on the map), and Cherohala Skyway while you are there.

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Or just follow Don around for a day or 2 ....

and if it is your first trip up the gap and skyway, I would ride it rather conservatively unless you have a control rider in front of you... as you ride the skyway, you will likely see some orange paint on the road... this was not a good scene.....

Be sure to ride the Foothills Parkway, Hellbender 28, Thunder Road (Wayah Road on the map), and Cherohala Skyway while you are there.

Click to expand...

Or just follow Don around for a day or 2 ....

and if it is your first trip up the gap and skyway, I would ride it rather conservatively unless you have a control rider in front of you... as you ride the skyway, you will likely see some orange paint on the road... this was not a good scene.....

Click to expand...

I would be happy to show him around, but I already have a trip to LA (Lower Alabama
) already planned next weekend.

Attached Files:

Thanks for all the input! I might stay in Chatt just for the evening fun. I'll be mapping out my trip several times before I head out, I'm sure. And I plan on getting to the restaurant and waiting for a control rider, for sure. I've ridden the gap and skyway in 05, 2up on an FZ1 so I went slow and steady.

As an attorney, we're required to take 15hrs of CLE seminars throughout the year. It's quite the burden, but I'm one to make the most of it. So, instead of taking the 7hr CLE that will be held in my town, I'm taking the same one in Chattanooga next Friday! Why, you ask. Duh! So I can ride Deal's Gap on my 08! Right now I've got 86 miles on her, so this week I've got to put 400 or so more miles on her, change the oil, adjust the chain, and head out next Thursday.

I'll go to Chatt Thursday evening. The CLE is at the Marriot at 2 Carter Plaza so I need to find a cheapo hotel nearby to stay at Thursday night. Then, I google-mapped a route for Friday evening's ride to Deal's Gap. I need to find a cheapo hotel nearby to stay at then too. If anyone has a good route for me to take from Chatt to the Gap, let me know. Saturday I'll ride the Dragon a few times, then head out, probably via the Skyway, and head home after lunchtime, back to Clarksville (5hrs).

Hotel suggestions?
Route suggestions?
Packing suggestions?

This is my first road trip like this so I want to do it right (and cheaply). I'm going to attempt the buell peg mod and put my risers on today. We'll see how that goes. Then this weekend put as many 'break-in' miles as possible. I refuse to be constrained to 5500 rpms on the Skyway.

Click to expand...

Call me if you want somebody to ride with! I think I am free next Sat. I live just north of Chatt. near Don! I just put a new Pilot Road 2 on the Red Head and need to get her out for a little new tire break in!
Kevin
423-322-7516

From Cbatt: I 24 east to I 75 north toward Knoxville.
Take exit 20 east (highway 60) about 5 miles to highway 64/74 the first exit toward Ocoee. Follow 64 & in about 14 miles you will be running along the Ocoee river. It has a few zig zags. In fact its all zig zags. Running water on one side & a rock wall on the other side.

In Ducktown take highway 68 north. You can't miss it as its an overpass. Nice ride to Tellico Plains. zig zags, hilly etc.

In Tellico Plains turn right on to highway 165. This is the Cherohala Skyway. Its really a fun ride. Elevation gets up to about 5600'. Watch for some hairpin decreasing radius turns & GRAVEL on the road in the corners from cagers missing the corners.
When the speed limit gets down to 30-35 on the other side of the mountain be careful & watch for gravel on the road. The highway has been cut across in numerous places for utilitys or something of that sort & has not been repaved yet. If you miss the Robbinsville turn to your left you can turn around in the big church parking lot.

As an attorney, we're required to take 15hrs of CLE seminars throughout the year. It's quite the burden, but I'm one to make the most of it. So, instead of taking the 7hr CLE that will be held in my town, I'm taking the same one in Chattanooga next Friday! Why, you ask. Duh! So I can ride Deal's Gap on my 08! Right now I've got 86 miles on her, so this week I've got to put 400 or so more miles on her, change the oil, adjust the chain, and head out next Thursday.

I'll go to Chatt Thursday evening. The CLE is at the Marriot at 2 Carter Plaza so I need to find a cheapo hotel nearby to stay at Thursday night. Then, I google-mapped a route for Friday evening's ride to Deal's Gap. I need to find a cheapo hotel nearby to stay at then too. If anyone has a good route for me to take from Chatt to the Gap, let me know. Saturday I'll ride the Dragon a few times, then head out, probably via the Skyway, and head home after lunchtime, back to Clarksville (5hrs).

Hotel suggestions?
Route suggestions?
Packing suggestions?

This is my first road trip like this so I want to do it right (and cheaply). I'm going to attempt the buell peg mod and put my risers on today. We'll see how that goes. Then this weekend put as many 'break-in' miles as possible. I refuse to be constrained to 5500 rpms on the Skyway.

Click to expand...

Stay at Fontana Village. It's only 11 miles from the gap and you'll love it.